History

Pierre Jaquet Droz : visionary genius (1721-1790) 

The story of Pierre Jaquet Droz and his sons is one of the most moving in the history of Horology. Born in 1721, Pierre Jaquet Droz, master of time in the Age of Enlightenment – mechanical genius, avant-garde creator of jewellery watchmaking and composer of poetry and dreams – is one of the most fascinating figures of the period.

Pierre Jaquet Droz. DR

Through his mastery of complex mechanisms and movements, Pierre Jaquet Droz became the uncontested master of automata that were also genuine works of art: songbirds, fountains, and musical watches to name but a few. He was also the creator of The Writer (1775): a unique automaton and a true piece of art; its six-hundred-piece mechanism was extremely complex, much more intricate than those of other automata. It could be set to write any text of up to forty letters or symbols on a smooth piece of paper, as if on a typewriter. Two other automata, The Musician and The Draftsman, were designed by his two sons, whom he trained from their earliest years. Today, these creations can be admired at the Neuchâtel Museum of Art and History in Switzerland.

The Draftsman, the Musician and the Writer © Jaquet Droz

Pierre Jaquet Droz was always at the forefront of developments in watchmaking, creating, for a clientele of connoisseurs, limited series that were seen as true artistic masterpieces. His ingenuity and talent were recognised throughout the world and applauded by all the Courts of Europe, Russia and even China.

Surrounded by the best watchmakers, alchemists, mechanics, enamellers and gemstone craftsmen, he opened three Manufactures: La Chaux-de-Fonds (1738), London (1774) and Geneva (1784). In the 18th century, he was the first to recognise the potential of London, whose trade already established with China offered unparalleled access to the Forbidden City. 

Promoted Innovations

La passion de Pierre Jaquet Droz pour l’innovation et la créativité, marque sa production depuis l’origine, et crée The passion of Pierre Jaquet Droz for innovation and creativity marked his production from the beginning and created a veritable business culture.

One of the very first applications was the swanny, or sliding-piston, whistle. This major invention by the Jaquet Droz family gave a perfect imitation of birdsong by modulating the sound produced by a whistle, whereas the “serinette”, or French bird-organ, previously used to teach birds to sing, required a number of wind pipes to produce the same effect. This invention made it possible to produce a greater number of extremely small songbirds, housed in tobacco boxes, bottles, opera glasses and even pistols.

Pierre Jaquet Droz promoted the following technological developments:

- The suspended-barrel bridge calibre, invented by the French watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lépine in 1770. In the Manufacture’s accounting registers, watches produced with this calibre were designated by the expression “à la Lépine”.

- The keyless watch device, where watches were rewound by repeatedly use of the pendant (pump winding). This technique was used on many watches in the 18th century, either to wind the main spring, for a “sonnerie au passage”, or a chime.

- Automatically wound watches with an oscillating mass. Pierre Jaquet Droz contributed to raising awareness of this technical marvel first in England, then in the Far East.

- Decoration of high luxury watches. The enamel on the case of Jaquet Droz models is embellished by gold foil and silver “sous fondant”. This enamelling technique, called “paillonné”, was adopted by numerous Genevan enamellers. 

Montres Jaquet Droz SA

After a few years’ absence from the world of watchmaking, and an intermediate period marked by the presence of foreign shareholders, the brand was acquired in 2000 by the Swatch Group. It returned to its town of origin, La Chaux-de-Fonds, and moved in Summer 2011 in its new “Atelier de Haute Horlogerie”.

The Manufacture. © Jaquet Droz

Ten years later, the success of Jaquet Droz is indeniable; the Manufacture is resolutely positioned within the prestige and luxury segment of the Swatch Group. Marc A. Hayek, President, with a steering committee, has set himself the mission of cultivating this spirit of excellence and innovation while continuing to communicate emotional and poetical values. The link between the Age of Enlightenment and the third Millennium is therefore still at the heart of the brand’s creative inspiration.